Explosion During Friday Prayers at Mosque in Indonesia; 50 Injured

At least 54 people were injured in a powerful explosion during Friday prayers at a mosque in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. Police said the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The incident occurred in the compound of a school in the Kelapa Gading area of North Jakarta. Witnesses reported hearing two loud blasts around 12:00 p.m. local time, just as the Friday sermon was beginning.

City Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed the explosion and said the cause is still under investigation. Most of the 54 injured are students, many of whom suffered burns and other injuries. Suheri added that 20 people remain hospitalized, three of them in critical condition.

An anti-bomb squad deployed to the scene discovered several toy rifles and a toy gun near the mosque. The police chief clarified that investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

Footage aired by local media showed police cordoning off the school area while ambulances stood ready nearby. However, photos from the mosque showed no significant visible structural damage.